Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park present “Books to Take Backpacking” event

From the press release:

History, poetry, and children’s literature inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains will be featured in “Books to Take Backpacking,” presented by the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Historian Margaret Brown, poet Thomas Rain Crowe, and children’s author Ann Clayton will read from their works at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café, 55 Haywood St in downtown Asheville. This “Writers at Home” event will encourage and inspire stewardship of the Great Smoky Mountains, and is free and open to the public.

Brown, an assistant professor of history at Brevard College, will read from “The Wild East: A Biography of the Great Smoky Mountains.” Widely considered the authoritative text on the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), the book explores the social, political, and environmental changes in the Great Smoky Mountains from the time of the Cherokee to the creation of the National Park. Brown also co-authored “Historic Buildings of the Smokies” and “Hiking Trails of the Smokies.”

Crowe is an internationally-published poet and the author of thirty books of original and translated works, including his award winning memoir, “Zoro’s Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods,” and his most recent book of essays and articles, “The End of Eden: Writings of an Environmental Activist.” Crowe will read from his work appearing in “Every Breath Sings Mountains,” a series chapbook focusing on the Great Smoky Mountains published by Voices From the American Land in 2011.

Clayton is a volunteer with GSMNP Elk Bugle Corps in Cataloochee Valley, where she “talks elk” with Park visitors. Clayton will read from her children’s book, “Bully for You, Elk 22,” based on the story of a Cataloochee elk. She is also the author of “Good Morning Goldfish,” a story written for professionals working with children with behavioral disorders, inspired by her career in education advocating for children. She has had articles and photographs published in Adventures in the Smokies, Carolina Country, and Smoky Mountain Living.

The Writers at Home Series is sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. For more information about Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, contact hollyd@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720, or visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org.